While I am drawing a continuation of the illustrations of old phones, I found phones with cameras in the collection and decided to do a comparative test and see how the progress was going. The results turned out to be quite interesting. Plus, tell us about the history of the creation of these pipes.
The presence of a camera in the phone was considered something prestigious, although the quality was ridiculous at first. The first camera phone was the Kyocera VP-210. It was released in October 1999 in Japan. The device was equipped with a 0,1 megapixel CMOS matrix. Following him, Sharp J-SH2000 was released at the end of 04. The model had a color STN display with 256 colors and a weight of only 74 grams. In 2002, the first European camera phone from Nokia appeared on the market - Nokia 7650 with a 0,3 megapixel camera. It allowed you to save a photo and immediately transfer it via MMS.
Nokia 3650, 2003
Camera 0.3 Mpx. Snapshots 640×480. Three shooting modes: Normal, Portrait (80x96 resolution) and Night.
As soon as the Nokia 7650 smartphone appeared, it immediately became a landmark product, by and large, this is the first Symbian device, which, due to the correct marketing policy, was a resounding success. But there are no ideal solutions in the world, and Nokia 7650 was not without flaws. Naturally, rumors soon appeared that an updated Nokia 7650i model would soon appear. The model really appeared, but it was called Nokia 3650, it is positioned as a smartphone for young people, and by no means business users. The reasons for this should be sought in marketing, since sales of the 7650 at that time were already large, the updated version could not gain the same popularity in its class (business).
The solution was found instantly, because the youth segment was on the rise at that moment. This explains most of the design features of this model, in particular, bright colors, the presence of interchangeable panels. So, the device was produced in three colors - Dark Blue, Gray and Yellow, additional panels - Blue, Fuchsia, and Purple.
For the younger audience, the company decided to make the phone's design even more attractive, and instead of the standard arrangement of the keys, it applied a retro design, when the number keys are arranged in a circle, like in an old disk device. By the way, such disk devices are not new for Russian users; until the 90s, the vast majority of landline phones were of this design.
Nokia 8800, 2005
Camera 0.5 Mpx. Pictures 800x600, 120x144 (portrait mode, resolution increased compared to 80x96 in previous models). The camera settings are ascetic, there is a night shooting mode, three types of image quality.
Nokia took care of creating a premium segment model at the very beginning of its existence, but real attention was paid to this urgent issue only in 1996. At that moment, a historic decision was made to create a premium model that differs from the phones on the market, both in form factor and in the materials used to create it. The task set before the designers and engineers did not look easy. On the one hand, there was an element base on hand that did not differ in miniature components, on the other hand, the size of the future device and its weight should have become minimal among all devices on the market. Especially for the new project, the development of an internal antenna, a radio unit, experiments with various materials began. Very quickly, the designers came to the conclusion that the device should attract attention with a chrome surface, even better if it is made of metal. But the limitations of technology did not allow the creation of a metal case and fit into the weight limit, as a result, plastic was used with a coating that created the appearance of metal. The overall direction of the project was carried out by the head of the design bureau of Nokia, Frank Nuovo (Frank Nuovo).
The model received the name Nokia 8810, the official announcement followed on March 18, 1998 at the CeBIT exhibition in Hannover. The public accepted the novelty enthusiastically, it is enough to recall the expectation of the start of sales and the absence of any competitors at all for this model. For the first time, online advertising was placed for this device.
The Nokia 8810, which was shown to the public on June 8850, 21, can be considered a continuation of the Nokia 1999. The similarity of design, the coincidence of many characteristics did not make the sequel as popular as Nokia 8810, but this device was also successful. It remained on the market until the end of 2001.
The next step for the company in the premium segment was the introduction of "titanium" models, in particular Nokia 8910. Sputtering was also used here, but technology made it possible to make it much better than Nokia 8810/8850. Many users firmly believed that they had a phone made of metal, and there was practically no plastic in it.
History tends to repeat itself, this statement perfectly illustrates the fate of the Nokia 8800 model. During its development and promotion, exactly the same principles were used as when creating the first device of this family - Nokia 8810. The model was originally created with this device in mind, most of the ideas which were used came from that time and became possible to be implemented at a new technological level. The case material in the new device is now the most metal, plus, in the spirit of the latest trends, the device has become a slider. This is the most winning form factor for the premium segment today. All other things remained for Nokia 8800 exactly the same as for the previous model, adjusted for modernity.
Motorola RAZR V3i, 2005
Camera 1.23 Mpx. Pictures 120x160, 240x320, 480x640, 960x1280.
You can set the exposure from -2 to +2, select the type of lighting (auto, sunny, cloudy, indoor, office). There is a timer.
The entry of the Motorola RAZR V3 model to the market opened a new page in the history of mobile phones and formed a fashion for thin solutions. Most manufacturers hurriedly began to create their own RAZR analogues, some models were similar to V3 in one way or another design element. The sales of the RAZR can safely be called a record for a device of this class, due to which Motorola's position in many markets has strengthened. In the future, to increase the life cycle of the device, the company introduced other colors - black, and "female" pink (advertised by Maria Sharapova). Soon the Motorola V3i is born, a device that, with the help of cosmetic tricks, is slightly improved in comparison with the basic version. New features are added to the software, a memory card appears and a megapixel camera immediately appears.
Why was the Motorola RAZR V3 so in demand? Functionally, the model repeated the existing solutions of the company, for example, Motorola v600, but offered a new, unique design. By design, we mean the materials of the body, its thickness, and the general appearance of the device. There was nothing like it on the market, as a result, the functionality of the model faded into the background, it was bought for the sake of design, unusual perception. It was this factor that became the main one in RAZR sales. For V3i, the novelty of impressions from the design is completely absent, it is essentially the same RAZR. For many, in this case, the functionality of the device came to the fore, but it was inferior to modern solutions from many manufacturers.
Nokia 8600, 2007
Camera 2 Mpx. Pictures 160x120, 320x240, 640x480, 960x1280, 800x600, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1600x1200.
Choice of white balance, effects (normal, false colors, grayscale, sepia, negative, overexposure). The presence of a camera in a model of such a plan is nothing more than a tribute to fashion and nothing more. That is why the digital module has only a nominal value and does not claim to be of good quality.
In this price category, Nokia had no competitors. Of course, every self-respecting manufacturer had fashion models, but none of them is able to emphasize the status of the owner in the way that representatives of the Premium segment of the Finnish telephone giant did.
That is why many owners of Nokia 8800 and Sirocco were ready to stay on the crest of the wave at all costs and follow the fashion, in which Nokia actively participated. And so, when the Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition hit the stores less than a year after it was released, another unique embodiment of engineering and design ideas, referred to as the Nokia 8600 Luna, saw the light. It would seem that the destiny of this model is to be the flagship of the Premium segment. But, not everything is so simple. It turns out that the novelty is deliberately positioned below the notorious Nokia 8800 Sirocco Edition. This is evidenced by the low price of 250 euros, and the absence of advertising hype, which was enough around Sirocco, as well as the fact that a unique soundtrack was not created for Luna. The last fact, as we know, is the unique hallmark of these models. Thus, we get some branch from the ruler.
This time, the developers also paid great attention to the materials and their finishes. Here's what Heikki Norta, Senior Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones, says: “Ultimate attention to detail has characterized every step of the development process for the Nokia 8600 Luna. We've gone to great lengths to ensure that every surface feels amazing, whether it's smooth glass, warm stainless steel, or a soft-touch keyboard."
Nokia N95, 2007
Camera 5 Mpx. Pictures 640x480, 1024x768, 1600x1200, 2048x1536.
From the settings: automatic exposure and manual from +2 to -2EV in steps of 0,5, white balance, shooting mode selection (automatic, sports, custom, macro mode, horizontal orientation, night shooting, portrait), sharpness adjustment (Soft, Normal, Hard) and color tones (normal, sepia, black and white, distinct, negative)
The first spy photos of the "N95-like" device were signed Nokia N83. Given the long-standing existence of the Nokia N80 at that time, one could assume that the N95 would become an improved version of the first. But a little time passed, and the confusion disappeared: along with the new N95 index, the novelty received the status of the N-series flagship.
The Nokia N95 was recognized by EISA, the European Consumer Electronics Association, as "Best European Media Phone 2007-2008". EISA's initial comments were laconic: "the Nokia N95 has all the options that can fit in a mobile device." True, the subsequent statements of the jury of the competition turned out to be more common: “This is no longer a mobile phone and not a status thing. Get the Nokia N95 and you'll have a piece of communication art in your hands - the perfect way to be at the forefront of the global wave."
At first glance, the Nokia N95 creates a strong association with the Nokia N80: the same form factor, a very similar keypad, even the arrangement of VGA camera lenses is practically the same. However, the N95 has something in common with the N73, we are talking about stereo speakers, a two-color design of the case (the battery covers of both devices are made of the same material and differ only in the shape and location of the latches) and similar displays. The rear view makes Nokia N95 related to a digital soap dish: there is a lens with a shutter and a flash window. The belonging of the smartphone to the entire N-series is given out by rounded corners - a signature touch of Nokia designers.
Sony Ericsson T700, 2008
Camera 3 Mpx. Snapshots 640×480, 1280×960, 1632×1224, 2048×1536.
There are effects (bw, sepia, negative), adjusting the white balance, choosing the quality of the photo and adding the date and time to the picture.
Back in 2007, the exhibition of mobile technologies revealed to the world a thin musical product Sony Ericsson W880i, in which the thickness of the case seemed to be minimal, and the stuffing to the maximum. It's funny, but then the phone seemed tiny, and its facets of the front surface did not inspire any negative thoughts. But a year passed, and the W890i came out, where all the edges were trimmed, the body was made of aluminum, ultra-light weight was achieved, and for the final touch, the main problems of the predecessor were corrected. It turned out to be a “candy”, to which they also adequately brought down the price range to the output price of the W880i. Everything looked great, but the demand for the new product was lower than expected, and many called anything but the price the reason for modest sales. And now, more than half a year passes, when the T700 appears on the market, in which Sony Ericsson retained almost all the features of the W890i, and at the same time got even with the upper price range. While the W890i is almost entirely made of metal, the Sony Ericsson T700 uses metal to a minimum in order to cut costs. The dimensions and functionality have not changed at all, so for fans of miniature, thin solutions, an excellent alternative to the W890i has appeared at a more affordable price.
iPhone 3gs, 2009
Camera 3 Mpx. Snapshots are 2048×1536.
The iPhone 3Gs has the ability to manually set the focus point: click on the desired area and the focus moves, everything is very fast and clear. This is true for both photos and videos. This is such a nice little thing.
iPhone 3g was a real test for Apple: the company had to solve many of the problems that arose with the first iPhone in record time and develop a device that could conquer the most demanding mobile users accustomed to the most modern technologies - for example, in Japan.
For business users, one of the most important innovations is the inclusion in the iPhone 3G of support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and Apple MobileMe, which make it possible to synchronize and share calendar, contact list, and email information. Thus, users who need such features have lost the motivation to purchase smartphones and communicators with BlackBerry and Windows Mobile.
Manufacturers of mobile phones, smartphones and communicators have taught us that the new is almost always very different from the old. The new device should have a number of very serious differences. It was unusual when someone does not do like everyone else and does not “roll out” a line of three different devices, for different audiences, but does something completely different. With what? Well, for example, bringing to mind the existing operating system, which is used both in phones and in players. The iPhone OS 3.0 update brought so much to Apple devices that another manufacturer would turn it into a huge marketing buzz. Another company for a new "firmware" would present a whole line. But Apple has a different approach - every user of even the very first iPhone, even the first Touch, can get a lot of new features.
Naturally, at the time when the announcement related to the iPhone 3Gs began, everyone already understood everything, but did not fully believe that the company would dare to present everything the same, only with a different speed of work.
In my opinion, the Nokia N95 did the best, with a slight deviation in warmth, and the iPhone 3gs did worse than expected.
Source: habr.com
